without a pic.. its hard to give any great answer ...

and i doubt the pill bugs are the issue ...

but for the newb.. let me clearly tell you ... even in CA.. its fall ... many annual plants are winding down for the year... shot their wad .. and sooner or later.. its just time to be done with them ...

its not really time to be trying to 'save' things ... you just dispose of them ...

could they have lasted longer.. in a perfect world.. probably ... improve your soil .... water better [which is a function of better soil] .... etc... and next year.. they might last longer ... fall is a great time.. to rip everything out.. and work on soil prep.. for next year ... life in the garden.. gets much easier.. if you have good soil ...

but by this time... its usually time to just get rid of annuals ... here in MI ... they often sell plants for fall planting.. like mums.. viola.. etc ... so we just rip out the uglies.. and plant some new things for fall viewing .. then winter comes.. and buries us in 200 feet of snow.. lol

there is a soil forum ... or this forum ... or even the perennial forum ... to discuss working on your soil ,.. you never know.. where you will find the answers you are looking for...

if you are interested in improving your soil..i suggest a new post.. with an appropriate title.. so other newbs might learn also ... as that topic is not about lobelia ...

good luck

ken

Are they in sun or shade?

When did you first plant them/when did they first bloom?

Did you ever clip them back?

Could you post a pic?

Annual lobelia is one of my favorite plants. They do not do well if in full sun. I usually clip mine back a few inches once or twice. My guess is that they are winding down--I bet it has been hotter longer in CA. Mine are still mostly going, but are showing some signs of winding down (getting longer with less blooms).

They are easy to grow from seed and pretty cheap. JL Hudson, Crosman, and Fedco all carry the seeds. I think you may can find packs in stores, also. I wintersowed mine, and they did very well. :)